'Chandra has broad enough shoulders to head an Indian icon'

January 12, 2017 21:37 IST

His global experience, deep business acumen and long association with the Tata Group will prove invaluable in his new role, says ICICI Bank MD and CEO Chanda Kochhar.

Industry peers on Thursday lauded the appointment of Tata Consultancy Services chief Natarajan Chandrasekaran as the chairman of Tata Sons, saying he has "broad enough shoulders" to assume the responsibility of being the "custodian of an Indian icon".

IT industry veteran N R Narayana Murthy said as the new leader at the helm of the $103 billion salt-to-software conglomerate, Chandrasekaran will have to face challenges but he has shown at TCS that he is capable of handling those.

Outlining the task ahead of the new Tata Sons chief, Murthy said: "How do you demonstrate your uniqueness in a market that is not growing as fast as you think? How do you make yourself multi-cultural?"

He, however, said: "As Chandra has demonstrated to all of us, at TCS, as long as you are able to inspire your people to do extraordinary things, then I think you will be in a position to handle these challenges."

Congratulating Chandrasekaran on the new role, Mahindra Group chairman Anand Mahindra said in a tweet: "You are now custodian of an Indian icon. You have broad enough shoulders to assume that responsibility!"

ICICI Bank MD and CEO Chanda Kochhar said Chandra has led TCS to become a global technology major.

"His global experience, deep business acumen and long association with the Tata Group will prove invaluable in his new role. I have interacted closely with him over the years, including in government-industry forums. He is always warm, engaging and insightful. I wish him all the very best," she added.

Reliance group chairman Anil D Ambani said Chandrasekaran “is an outstanding choice and brings to the table an unparalleled track record of value creation and visionary leadership.”

"Having run many marathons with him, I have the highest regard for Chandra's spirit of endurance, grit, determination and focus."

RPG Enterprises chairman Harsh Goenka said, "No one better than him to lead the 'Kohinoor' of India's business. Chandra is a man of grit, determination and vision. He will take Tatas to greater heights," he said.

Bank of America president and country head Kaku Nakhate termed Chandrasekaran as a "great visionary".

"I have worked closely with Chandra for several years now and know what a great visionary and leader he is. The Tatas could not have found a better person than him to lead the group. My congratulations to Chandra," he said.

Describing him as a phenomenal person, Kotak Mahindra Bank vice chairman Uday Kotak said, "I have a very high personal regard for him. My best wishes to him."

Bank of Maharashtra ED R K Gupta said: "As a lender to the Tata Group, we are delighted with the appointment of N Chandrasekaran as chairman of Tata Sons."

Under his leadership, TCS emerged as a global force to reckon with, he added.

"Mr Chandrasekaran is the best man to navigate the conglomerate to newer heights. We wish him success in all his future endeavours," he added.